Alkanolamine derivatives

ABSTRACT

Novel 1-aryloxy-3-amidoamidoalkylamino-2-propanol derivatives, processes for their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of using them in the treatment of heart diseases. Representative of the compounds disclosed is 1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-(2-thenamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 98,933 filed Nov. 30, 1979now U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,921, which is a division of Ser. No. 839,568,filed Oct. 5, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,878.

This invention relates to new alkanolamine derivatives which possessβ-adrenergic blocking activity.

According to the invention there is provided a new alkanolaminederivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A¹ stands for an alkyleneradical of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein A² stands for a direct linkor for an alkylene radical of up to 6 carbon atoms; wherein R¹ standsfor the hydrogen atom or for an alkyl, halogenoalkyl, alkenyl orcycloalkyl radical each of up to 10 carbon atoms, or for an aryl radicalof the formula: ##STR2## or for a heterocyclic radical; wherein R², R³,R¹² and R¹³, which may be the same or different, each stands for ahydrogen or halogen atom, a hydroxy, amino, nitro, carbamoyl or cyanoradical, or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyloxy, alkanoylor acylamino radical each of up to 6 carbon atoms, or wherein R² and R³together, and/or R¹² and R¹³ together, form the trimethylene,tetramethylene or buta-1,3-dienylene radical such that together with theadjacent benzene ring they form respectively the indanyl,5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl or naphthyl radical; wherein X¹ and X², whichmay be the same or different, each stands for an amidic linkage of theformula --NHCO--, --NHSO₂ -- or --CONH--; wherein Y¹ stands for a directlink or (except when X¹ is --CONH--) for the imino (--NH--) radical andwherein Y² stands for a direct link, or for an alkylene, oxyalkylene oralkyleneoxy radical each of up to 6 carbon atoms, or (except when X² is--CONH--) for the imino (--NH--) radical or for an alkylimino orimino-alkylene radical each of up to 6 carbon atoms, or (except when R¹stands for the hydrogen atom) for the oxygen atom; or an acid-additionsalt thereof.

It will be observed that the alkanolamine derivative of the inventionpossesses an asymmetric carbon atom, namely the carbon atom of the--CHOH-- group in the alkanolamine side-chain, and it can thereforeexist in racemic and optically-active forms. It is to be understood thatthis invention encompasses the racemic form of the alkanolaminederivative and any optically-active form which possesses β-adrenergicblocking activity, it being a matter of common general knowledge how aracemic compound may be resolved into optically-active forms, and howthe β-adrenergic blocking activity of these forms may be determined. Itis further to be understood that β-adrenergic blocking activity usuallypredominates in that optically-active form which has the "S" absoluteconfiguration of the said --CHOH-- group.

A suitable value for the alkylene radical A¹ is, for example, theethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, 1-methylethylene,2-methylethylene or 1,1-dimethylethylene radical. A¹ is preferably theethylene, 1-methylethylene or 1,1-dimethylethylene radical, especiallythe ethylene radical.

A suitable value for A² when it stands for an alkylene radical is, forexample, the methylene or ethylidene radical or one of the values setout above for the alkylene radical A¹. A² is preferably a direct link orthe methylene, ethylidene or ethylene radical, and especially is themethylene or ethylene radical.

A suitable value for R¹ when it stands for an alkyl, halogenoalkyl,alkenyl or cycloalkyl radical is, for example, the methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-octyl,trifluoromethyl, allyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl radical.A preferred value for R¹ from this group of values is the methyl,isopropyl or t-butyl radical.

A suitable value for R¹ when it stands for a heterocyclic radical is,for example, a 5 or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated monocyclicheterocyclic radical containing one or two heteroatoms selected fromnitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atoms, which heterocyclic radical mayoptionally contain one or two substituents selected from alkyl andalkoxy radicals each of up to 6 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl,methoxy and ethoxy radicals and, where the heterocyclic radical bears anappropriate degree of saturation, one or two oxo substituents.

A particular heterocyclic radical is, for example, a pyrrolyl, furyl,thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl or pyridazinylradical, for example the 2-pyrrolyl, 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl,2-imidazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-pyridyl, 3-methyl-2-pyrazinyl or2-pyridazinyl radical. A preferred heterocyclic radical R¹ is the2-thienyl or 2-furyl radical.

A suitable value for R², R³, R¹² or R¹³ when it stands for a halogenatom is, for example, the fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom.

A suitable value for R², R³, R¹² or R¹³ when it stands for an alkyl,alkenyl, alkoxy, alkythio, alkenyloxy, alkanoyl or acylamino radical is,for example, the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, allyl, methoxy, isopropoxy,methylthio, allyloxy, formyl, acetyl or acetamido radical.

Preferably R² stands for the hydrogen or chlorine atom or the hydroxy,carbamoyl, cyano, methyl, allyl, methoxy or allyloxy radical, especiallythe hydrogen or chlorine atom or the cyano, methyl, methoxy or allyloxyradical, this substituent preferably being in the 2-position of thephenyl nucleus, and R³ stands for the hydrogen atom, or R² and R³together with the adjacent benzene ring form the 1-napthyl radical.

Preferably R¹² stands for the hydrogen or chlorine atom or the hydroxyor nitro radical and R¹³ stands for the hydrogen atom, or R¹² and R¹³together with the adjacent benzene ring form the 1-naphthyl radical.

A suitable value for Y² when it stands for an alkylene, oxyalkylene oralkyleneoxy radical is, for example, the methylene, ethylene,oxymethylene, methyleneoxy, ethyleneoxy, trimethyleneoxy,1-methylethylideneoxy or 1-methylpropylideneoxy radical.

A suitable value for Y² when it stands for an alkylimino oriminoalkylene radical is, for example, the methylimino or iminomethyleneradical.

X¹ is preferably the --NHCO-- or --CONH-- radical, especially the--NHCO-- radical, and X² is especially the --NHCO-- or --CONH-- radical.

Y¹ is especially a direct link and Y² is preferably a direct link or themethylene, oxymethylene, methyleneoxy or imino radical, or the oxygenatom, especially a direct link or the methylene radical.

A suitable acid-addition salt of an alkanolamine derivative of theinvention is, for example, a salt derived from an inorganic acid, forexample a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate or sulphate, or a saltderived from an organic acid, for example an oxalate, lactate, tartrate,acetate, salicylate, citrate, benzoate, β-naphthoate, adipate or1,1-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate), or a salt derived from anacidic synthetic resin, for example a sulphonated polystyrene resin.

One preferred alkanolamine derivative of the invention is a compound ofthe formula given above wherein A¹ stands for the ethylene radical, A²stands for a direct link or for the methylene or ethylene radical, R¹stands for an alkyl radical of up to 6 carbon atoms or for a phenyl,monochlorophenyl, mononitrophenyl, monohydroxyphenyl, 1-naphthyl,2-thienyl or 2-furyl radical, either R² stands for hydrogen or for thechloro or cyano radical, or for an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy or alkenyloxyradical each of up to 3 carbon atoms and R³ stands for hydrogen, or R²and R³ together with the adjacent benzene ring form the 1-naphthylradical, X¹ stands for the --NHCO-- radical, X² stands for the --NHCO--or --CONH-- radical, Y¹ stands for a direct link and Y² stands for adirect link or for the methylene radical, or is an acid-addition saltthereof.

Specific alkanolamine derivatives of the invention are those hereinafterdescribed in the Examples. Of these, preferred compounds by virtue oftheir high cardioselective β-adrenergic blocking activity (ashereinafter defined) are:

1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-(2- thenamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol;

1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-(benzamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol;

1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-β-(phenylacetamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol;and

1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-β-(2-thenamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol;

and the acid-addition salts thereof.

The alkanolamine derivative of the invention may be manufactured by anychemical process known to be useful for the manufacture ofchemically-analogous compounds.

A preferred process for the manufacture of an alkanolamine derivative ofthe invention wherein X¹ stands for an amidic linkage of the formula--NH--CO-- comprises the reaction of a compound of the formula: ##STR3##wherein A¹, R² and R³ have the meanings stated above and wherein R⁵stands for hydrogen or for the benzyl radical, with a compound of theformula:

    Z.sup.1 --CO--Y.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --Y.sup.2 --R.sup.1

wherein A², R¹, X², Y¹ and Y² have the meanings stated above, andwherein Z¹ stands for a displaceable radical, whereafter if R⁵ standsfor the benzyl radical this radical is removed by hydrogenolysis.

The displaceable radical Z¹ may be, for example, a halogen atom, forexample the chlorine or bromine atom, or a sulphonyloxy radical, forexample an alkanesulphonyloxy radical of up to 6 carbon atoms or anarenesulphonyloxy radical of up to 10 carbon atoms, for example themethanesulphonyloxy, benzene-sulphonyloxy or toluene-p-sulphonyloxyradical, or an alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl or aryloxy radical of up to 10carbon atoms, for example the methoxy, ethoxy, ethoxycarbonyl, phenoxyor 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy radical. Alternatively, Z¹ may be the hydroxyradical, in which case the reaction is carried out in the presence of acondensing agent, for example a carbodi-imide.

When Y¹ in the final product is the imino radical, an isocyanate of theformula

    OCN--A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --Y.sup.2 --R.sup.1

wherein A², R¹ X² and Y² have the meanings stated above, may be used toreact with the amine.

A compound wherein X¹ stands for an amidic linkage of the formula--CONH-- may be obtained by the reaction of a compound of the formula##STR4## wherein R² and R³ have the meanings stated above with acompound of the formula

    Z.sup.2 --A.sup.1 --X.sup.1 --Y.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --Y.sup.2 --R.sup.1

wherein A¹, A², R¹, X¹, X², Y¹ and Y² have the meanings stated above andwherein Z² stands for a displaceable halogen or sulphonyloxy radical asdefined above for Z¹.

A compound wherein one or more of R², R³, R¹² and R¹³ stands for thehydroxy radical may be obtained by the hydrogenolysis of thecorresponding compound wherein one or more of R², R³, R¹² and R¹³ standsfor the benzyloxy radical.

Optically-active enantiomorphs of the alkanolamine derivative of theinvention may be obtained by the resolution by conventional means of thecorresponding racemic alkanolamine derivative of the invention.

The said resolution may be carried out by reacting the racemicalkanolamine derivative with an optically-active acid, followed byfractional crystallisation of the diastereoisomeric mixture of saltsthus obtained from a diluent or solvent, for example ethanol, whereafterthe optically-active alkanolamine derivative is liberated from the saltby treatment with a base. A suitable optically-active acid is, forexample, (+)- or (-)-O,O-di-p-toluoyltartaric acid or(-)-2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-2-keto-L-gulonic acid.

The resolution process may be facilitated by treating the partiallyresolved alkanolamine derivative in free base form obtained after asingle fractional crystallisation of the diastereoisomeric mixture ofsalts with a solubilising agent, for example a primary amine, forexample allylamine, in a relatively non-polar diluent or solvent, forexample petroleum ether.

The alkanolamine derivative of the invention in free base form may beconverted into an acid-addition salt thereof by reaction with an acid byconventional means.

As stated above, the alkanolamine derivative of the invention or anacid-addition salt thereof possesses β-adrenergic blocking activity, andfurthermore this activity is cardio-selective. This activity may bedetermined by the reversal of isoprenaline-induced tachycardia in ratsor cats, a standard test for the determination of β-adrenergic blockingactivity, and by relative freedom from antagonism ofisoprenaline-induced vasodilation in cats or of the relief produced byisoprenaline of histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea-pigs. Compoundsexhibiting this cardioselective action show a greater degree ofspecificity in blocking the cardiac β-receptors than the β-receptors inperipheral blood vessels and bronchial muscle. Thus, a dose may beselected for such a compound at which the compound blocks the cardiacinotropic and chronotropic actions of a catecholamine such asisoprenaline but does not block the relaxation of tracheal smooth muscleproduced by isoprenaline or the peripheral vasodilator action ofisoprenaline. Because of this selective action, one of these compoundsmay advantageously be used together with a sympathomimeticbronchodilator, for example isoprenaline, orciprenaline, adrenaline orephedrine, in the treatment of asthma and other obstructive airwaysdiseases, inasmuch as the cardioselective compound will substantiallyinhibit the unwanted stimulatory effects of the bronchodilator on theheart but will not hinder the desirable therapeutic effect of thebronchodilator. A preferred alkanolamine derivative of the invention isup to ten times more active as a cardioselective β-adrenergic blockingagent than practolol. At doses of an alkanolamine derivative of theinvention which produce effective β-adrenergic blockade in rats or cats,no symptoms of toxicity are apparent.

The alkanolamine derivative of the invention may be administered towarm-blooded animals, including man, in the form of a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising as active ingredient at least one alkanolaminederivative of the invention, or an acid-addition salt thereof, inassociation with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carriertherefor.

A suitable composition is, for example, a tablet, capsule, aqueous oroily solution or suspension, emulsion, injectable aqueous or oilysolution or suspension, dispersible powder, spray or aerosolformulation.

The pharmaceutical composition may contain, in addition to thealkanolamine derivative of the invention, one or more drugs selectedfrom sedatives, for example phenobarbitone, meprobamate, chlorpromazineand the benzodiazepine sedative drugs, for example chlordiazepoxide anddiazepam; vasodilators, for example glyceryl trinitrate, pentaerythritoltetranitrate and isosorbide dinitrate; diuretics, for examplechlorothiazide; hypotensive agents, for example reserpine, bethanidineand guanethidine; cardiac membrane stabilising agents, for examplequinidine; agents used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and othertremors, for example benzhexol; cardiotonic agents, for exampledigitalis preparations; α-adrenergic blocking agents, for examplephentolamine and sympathomimetic bronchodilators, for exampleisoprenaline, orciprenaline, adrenaline and ephedrine.

When used for the treatment of heart diseases, for example anginapectoris and cardiac arrhythmias, or for the treatment of hypertensionor anxiety states in man, it is expected that the alkanolaminederivative would be given to man at a total oral dose of between 20 mg.and 600 mg. daily, at doses spaced at 6-8 hourly intervals, or at anintravenous dose of between 1 mg. and 20 mg.

Preferred oral dosage forms are tablets or capsules containing between10 and 100 mg., and preferably 10 mg. or 50 mg. of active ingredient.Preferred intravenous dosage forms are sterile aqueous solutions of thealkanolamine derivative or of a non-toxic acid-addition salt thereof,containing between 0.05% and 1% w/v of active ingredient, and moreparticularly containing 0.1% w/v of active ingredient.

The invention is illustrated but not limited by the following Examples:

EXAMPLE 1

N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2.5 g.) is added to a mixture ofN-benzoylglycine (1.79 g.), 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2.2 g.) and dioxan(100 ml.) and the mixture is stirred at laboratory temperature for onehour and then filtered. The filtrate is added to a solution of1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (2.35 g.) in dioxan(50 ml.), and the mixture is kept at room temperature for 1 hour andthen evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is shakenwith aqueous N-acetic acid (50 ml.) and ethyl acetate (50 ml.) and theaqueous layer is separated and stirred for 5 minutes with a mixture ofaqueous 2 N-sodium hydroxide (30 ml.) and diethyl ether (50 ml.). Themixture is filtered and the solid residue is crystallised fromacetonitrile. There is thus obtained1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-(benzamido-acetamido)-ethylaminopropan-2-ol, m.p.143°-144° C.

The process described above is repeated except that the appropriate1-phenxoy-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol derivative is used in placeof the o-cyanophenoxy derivative. There are thus obtained the compoundsshown in the following table:

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR5##                                                                     R.sup.2     m.p.(°C.)                                                                       Crystallisation solvent                                  ______________________________________                                        H           139-140  acetonitrile                                             chloro      137-138  acetonitrile                                             methyl      113-115  ethyl acetate                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

Ethyl chloroformate (0.54 g.) is added dropwise to a stirred mixture ofN-acetylglycine (0.59 g.), tetrahydrofuran (40 ml.) and triethylamine (1ml.) which is maintained at a temperature of between -15° C. and -10°C., and after the addition is complete the mixture is stirred at -10° C.for 15 minutes. A solution of1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (1.23 g.) intetrahydrofuran (20 ml.) is then added and the mixture is allowed towarm up to laboratory temperature, stirred a further two hours and thenevaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is dissolvedin water (30 ml.), aqueous 2 N-sodium hydroxide solution (5 ml.) isadded and the mixture is extracted three times with chloroform (30 ml.each time). The combined chloroform extracts are dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulphate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure andthe residue is crystallised from ethyl acetate. There is thus obtained1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-β-(acetamidoacetamido)ethyl-aminopropan-2-ol, m.p.107°-109° C.

The process described above is repeated except that anN-benzyloxycarbonamidoalkanoic acid is used as starting material inplace of N-acetylglycine, and that the appropriate1-(substituted-phenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethylamino)propan-2-ol is used asstarting material. There are thus obtained the compounds described inthe following table:

    __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR6##                                                                                                 Crystallisation                                   R.sup.2                                                                              A.sup.2   m.p.(°C.)                                                                         solvent                                           __________________________________________________________________________    cyano  CH.sub.2  97-99      ethyl acetate                                     methyl CH.sub.2  hydrogen oxalate                                                                         water                                                              monohydrate                                                                   195-197                                                      methyl CH(CH.sub.3)                                                                            126-130    ethyl acetate                                     __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3

Ethyl oxamate (0.59 g.) is added to a solution of1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (1.3 g.) inacetonitrile (20 ml.) and the solution is stirred at laboratorytemperature for 16 hours, and then filtered. The residue is crystallisedfrom ethanol and there is thus obtained1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-oxamoylethyl)aminopropan-2-ol, m.p. 138°-140° C.

The process described above is repeated except that ethylN-benzyloxamate and either 1-phenoxy- or1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol are used as startingmaterials. There are thus obtained, respectively,1-phenoxy-3-(β-N-benzyloxamoylethyl)aminopropan-2-ol, m.p. 161°-162° C.after crystallisation from a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile, and1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-N-benzyloxamoylethyl)-aminopropan-2-ol, m.p.137°-139° C. after crystallisation from a mixture of methanol andacetonitrile.

EXAMPLE 4

A mixture of N-phenylacetyl-glycine methyl ester (1.03 g.) and1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (1.23 g.) is heatedat 90° C. for 16 hours and then cooled, and the residue is crystallisedfrom acetonitrile. There is thus obtained1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-β-(phenylacetamido-acetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 140°-142° C.

The process described above is repeated except that1-(o-carbamoylphenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol is used asstarting material in place of the corresponding o-cyano compound. Thereis thus obtained1-(o-carbamoylphenoxy)-3-β-(phenylacetamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 104°-106° C. after crystallisation from acetonitrile.

The process described above is repeated except that1-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol and methylN-benzylmalonamate are used as starting materials. There is thusobtained1-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(β-N-benzylmalonamoylmethyl)aminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 121°-123° C. after crystallisation from acetonitrile.

EXAMPLE 5

A mixture of 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl β-(t-butoxycarbonamido)propionate(3.7 g.), 1-o-tolyloxy-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (2.2 g.) andtetrahydrofuran (40 ml.) is stirred at laboratory temperature for 3hours and then evaporated to dryness. A solution of the residue in ethylacetate (50 ml.) is added to a solution of oxalic acid (1.26 g. in ethylacetate (30 ml.) and the mixture is filtered. The residue iscrystallised from water and there is thus obtained1-(o-tolyloxy)-3-β-(β-t-butoxycarbonamidopropionamido)ethylaminopropan-2-olhydrogen oxalate, m.p. 155°-157° C.

EXAMPLE 6

A mixture of N-phenoxyacetylglycine methyl ester (1.1 g.) and1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-amino-ethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (1.3 g.) is heatedat 90° C. for 16 hours. Aqueous N-acetic acid (50 ml.) is added to themixture and the mixture is filtered. The filtrate is added to aqueous 2N-sodium hydroxide solution (50 ml.) and the mixture is filtered. Theresidue is crystallised from ethyl acetate and there is thus obtained1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-(phenoxyacetamidoacetamido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 105°-106° C.

The process described above is repeated except that the appropriateN-acylglycine methyl ester and the appropriate1-phenoxy-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol are used as startingmaterials. There are thus obtained the compounds shown in the followingtable:

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR7##                                                                                                       Crystallisation                             R.sup.2 Y.sup.2   R.sup.1  m.p.(°C.)                                                                     solvent                                     ______________________________________                                        cyano   --        2-thienyl                                                                              147-148                                                                              acetonitrile                                chloro  --        2-thienyl                                                                              135-136                                                                              acetonitrile                                methyl  --        2-thienyl                                                                              89-91  ethyl acetate                               H       --        2-thienyl                                                                              93-95  ethyl acetate                               cyano   CH.sub.2  phenyl   109-110                                                                              acetonitrile                                carbamoyl                                                                             CH.sub.2 O                                                                              phenyl   134-135                                                                              5% methanol in                                                                acetonitrile                                ______________________________________                                    

The N-2-thenoylglycine methyl ester used as starting material may beobtained as follows:

2-Thenoylchloride (7.3 g.) is added dropwise to a stirred solution ofglycine methyl ester hydrochloride (6.3 g.) and sodium hydrogencarbonate (8.4 g.) in water (100 ml. which is maintained at 5° C. Themixture is filtered and the residue is crystallised from a mixture ofethyl acetate and petroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80° C.). There is thusobtained N-2-thenoyl-glycine methyl ester, m.p. 91°-92° C.

EXAMPLE 7

A mixture of 1-phenoxy-3-(N-benzyl-N-β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (10g.), succinic anhydride (3.34 g.) and toluene (50 ml.) is kept atlaboratory temperature for 17 hours and then evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure. The residue is dissolved in ethanol (50 ml.), 30%palladium-on-charcoal catalyst (0.5 g.) is added and the mixture isshaken with hydrogen at laboratory temperature and atmospheric pressureuntil 700 ml. of hydrogen have been absorbed. The mixture is dilutedwith hot water (10 ml.), filtered and evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure. The oily residue is stirred with ethanol, the mixtureis filtered and there is thus obtained as crystalline residue1-phenoxy-3-β-(3-carboxypropionamido)-ethylaminopropan-2-ol, m.p. 159°C.

A mixture of the above compound (15.8 g.), water (40 ml.) and aqueous40% formalin solution (5.1 ml.) is stirred at laboratory temperature for2 hours and then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The oilyoxazolidine thus obtained is dissolved in acetonitrile (100 ml.),2,4,5-trichlorophenol (10.7 g.) and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide (11.5g.) are added and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at laboratorytemperature and then filtered. The filtrate is diluted with water andextracted with ethyl acetate, and the extract is washed with water,dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure.

A solution of the oily trichlorophenyl ester thus obtained (5.03. g.)and 3-phenylpropylamine (1.35 g.) in acetonitrile (10 ml.) is stirred atlaboratory temperature for 1 hour, diluted with water and extracted withethyl acetate. The extract is washed with aqueous 2 N-sodium hydroxidesolution and then with water, dried and evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure. The residue is dissolved in ethanol, an excess of asaturated ethereal solution of oxalic acid is added and the mixture isfiltered. The solid residue is crystallised from isopropanol and thereis thus obtained1-phenoxy-3-β-[2-(N-3-phenylpropylcarbamoyl)propionamido]-ethylaminopropan-2-olhydrogen oxalate monohydrate, m.p. 105°-106° C.

EXAMPLE 8

Benzoyl isocyanate (1.5 g.) is added to a solution of1-p-benzyloxyphenoxy-3-(N-benzyl-N-β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (4.06g.) in dioxan (30 ml.). The mixture is evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure, the residue is dissolved in acetic acid (50 ml.) andthe solution is shaken with hydrogen in the presence of a 30%palladium-on-charcoal catalyst at laboratory temperature and atmosphericpressure until 400 ml. of hydrogen have been absorbed. The mixture isfiltered, the filtrate is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressureand the residue is crystallised from ethanol. There is thus obtained1-p-hydroxyphenyl-3-β-3-benzoylureido)ethylaminopropan-2-ol, m.p.152°-154° C.

EXAMPLE 9

The process described in Example 8 is repeated except that corresponding1-o-tolyloxy derivative is used as starting material in place of the1-p-benzyloxyphenoxy derivative. The crude reaction product beforehydrogenation is purified by chromatography on a silica gel column usinga 1:1 v/v mixture of ethyl acetate and toluene as eluant. The crudereaction product after hydrogenation is dissolved in ethanol, ethanolichydrogen chloride solution is added and the mixture is filtered. Thereis thus obtained 1-o-tolyloxy-3-β-(3-benzoylureido)ethylaminopropan-2-olhydrochloride, m.p. 192°-194° C.

EXAMPLE 10

The process described in Example 6 is repeated except that theappropriate N-acylglycine methyl or ethyl ester and the appropriate1-phenoxy-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol are used as startingmaterials. There are thus obtained the compounds shown in the followingtable:

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR8##                                                                                                      Crystallisation                              R.sup.2                                                                              R.sup.1     m.p.(°C.)                                                                            solvent                                      ______________________________________                                        cyano  2-furyl     128-130       acetonitrile                                 methyl p-chlorophenyl                                                                            134-136       acetonitrile                                 methyl o-chlorophenyl                                                                            oxalate hemihydrate                                                                         ethanol                                                         181-183                                                    methyl m-chlorophenyl                                                                            133-135       ethyl acetate                                methyl o-nitrophenyl                                                                             129-131       acetonitrile                                 allyl  p-chlorophenyl                                                                            117-119       ethyl acetate                                allyloxy                                                                             p-chlorophenyl                                                                            134-136       acetonitrile                                 methoxy                                                                              2-thienyl   hydrogen oxalate                                                                            ethanol                                                         163-165                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The process described above is repeated using the appropriate1-aryloxy-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol and the appropriate ethylester and there are thus obtained the compounds shown in the followingtable:

    __________________________________________________________________________    Aryl-OCH.sub.2.CHOH.CH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCO--A.sup.2 --X.sup.2      --Y.sup.2 --R.sup.1                                                                                                  Crystallisation                        Aryl    --A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --Y.sup.2 --                                                           R.sup.1  m.p.(°C.)                                                                       solvent                                __________________________________________________________________________    o-tolyl --CH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 --                                                                   phenyl   hydrogen oxalate                                                                       acetonitrile*                                                        144-146                                         1-naphthyl                                                                            --CH.sub.2 NHCO--                                                                          1-naphthyl                                                                             133-135  acetonitrile*                          1-naphthyl                                                                            --CH.sub.2 NHCO--                                                                          2-thienyl                                                                              80-82    acetonitrile                           o-tolyl --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.2 --                                                        phenyl   127-128  acetonitrile                           o-tolyl --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCO--                                                                 phenyl   127-128  acetonitrile                           o-tolyl --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCONH--                                                               phenyl   121-123  ethyl acetate/                                                                acetonitrile                           phenyl  --CH.sub.2 CONH--                                                                          p-hydroxyphenyl                                                                        183-185  ethanol*                               o-cyanophenyl                                                                         --CH.sub.2 CONHCH.sub.2 --                                                                 2-furyl  111-113  ethyl acetate                          __________________________________________________________________________     *Initial purification before crystallisation by chromatography on a silic     gel column using a 60:20:10:35 v/v mixture of toluene/ethyl                   acetate/concentrated aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution/ethanol as           eluant.                                                                  

The various ester used as starting materials may be obtained by asimilar process to that described in the last paragraph of Example 6.N-o-Chlorobenzoylglycine ethyl ester has m.p. 66°-68° C. andN-m-chlorobenzoylglycine ethyl ester has m.p. 62°-63° C. (both aftercrystallisation from petroleum ether b.p. 60°-80° C.).

Ethyl N-(2-furfuryl)carbamoylacetate, b.p. 150°-155° C./2.5 mm.Hg., maybe obtained by heating a mixture of diethyl malonate (48.0 g.) and2-furfurylamine (9.7 g.) at 90° C. for 48 hours.

EXAMPLE 11

A mixture of 1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl) aminopropane-2-ol(1.45 g.), phenyl N-(β-isobutyramidoethyl)carbamate (1.25 g.) and dioxan(30 ml.) is heated at 90° C. for 3 hours and then cooled and filtered.The solid residue is crystallised from acetonitrile and there is thusobtained1-(o-chlorophenoxy)-3-β-[3-(β-isobutyramidoethyl)ureido]ethylaminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 139°-140° C.

The process described above is repeated except that phenylN-β-(3-phenylureido)ethylcarbamate and either 1-(o-tolyloxy)- or1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol are used as startingmaterials. There are thus obtained1-(o-tolyloxy)-3-β-[3-β-(3-phenylureido)ethylureido]ethylaminopropan-2-ol, m.p. 140°-143° C. after crystallisationfrom acetonitrile and1-(o-cyanophenoxy)-3-β-[3-β-(3-phenylureido)ethyl-ureido]ethylaminopropan-2-ol,m.p. 152°-154° C. after crystallisation from ethanol.

The phenyl carbamates used as starting material may be obtained by thereaction of phenyl chloroformate with the appropriate β-amidoethylamine.Phenyl N-(β-isobutyramidoethyl)carbamate has m.p. 150°-152° C. aftercrystallisation from ethyl acetate, and phenylN-β-(3-phenylureido)ethylcarbamate has m.p. 147°-149° C. aftercrystallisation from ethanol.

The various 1-aryloxy 3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ols used as startingmaterials in Examples 1 to 6, 10 and 11 may be obtained as exemplifiedby the following procedure:

1-(o-Carbamoylphenoxy)-2,3-epoxypropane (20 g.) is added toethylenediamine (125 ml.) and the mixture is stirred at laboratorytemperature for 1 hour and then evaporated to dryness under reducedpressure. The residue is stirred with water (150 ml.), the mixture isfiltered and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness under reducedpressure. The residue is crystallised from acetonitrile and there isthus obtained as residue1-(o-carbamoylphenoxy)-3-(β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol, m.p. 91°-93° C.

Other compounds of this type may be obtained by a similar procedureusing the appropriate 1-aryloxy-2,3-epoxy-propane as starting material.Those compounds which have been characterised are described in thefollowing table:

    ______________________________________                                        1-phenoxy       m.p. of     Crystallisation                                   derivative      dihydrochloride                                                                           solvent                                           ______________________________________                                        1-phenoxy       171-172     ethanol                                           1-(o-tolyloxy)  181         ethanol                                           1-(o-chlorophenoxy)                                                                           208         aqueous ethanol                                   1-(o-cyanophenoxy)                                                                            235-236     aqueous ethanol                                   1-(o-methoxyphenoxy)                                                                          75-76       toluene                                                           (free base)                                                   1-(o-allyloxyphenoxy)                                                                         174-175(d)  aqueous ethanol                                                   (oxalate)                                                     1-(o-allylphenoxy)                                                                            206-209     aqueous ethanol                                                   [di(hydrogen                                                                  oxalate)]                                                     1-(naphth-1-yloxy)                                                                            313-315     ethanol                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12

A mixture of1-(p-benzyloxyphenoxy)-3-N-benzyl-N-β-aminoethyl)aminopropan-2-ol (3.9g.) and ethyl β-phenylacetamidopropionate (2.3 g.) is heated at 90° C.for 48 hours, cooled and then dissolved in a mixture of ethanol (50 ml.)and aqueous 11-N hydrochloric acid (5 ml.). The solution is shaken withhydrogen in the presence of a 30% palladium-on-charcoal catalyst atlaboratory temperature and atmospheric pressure until 610 ml. ofhydrogen have been absorbed. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate isevaporated to dryness under reduced pressure . The residue is purifiedby chromatography in a silica gel column using a 60:20:10:35 v/v mixtureof toluene/ethyl acetate/concentrated aqueous ammonium hydroxidesolution/ethanol as eluant. The fraction with an R_(f) value of 0.17 onsilica gel plates using the same solvent system is collected andevaporated to dryness and the residue is crystallised from a 25:2 v/vmixture of acetonitrile and ethanol. There is thus obtained1-(p-hydroxyphenoxy)-3-β-(β-phenylacetamido-propionamido)ethylamino-2-propanol,m.p. 137°-139° C.

EXAMPLE 13

A mixture of 1-(o-tolyloxy)-3-aminopropan-2-ol (3.6 g.),[2-(β-chloropropionamido)acet]anilide (2.4 g) and isopropanol (50 ml.)is heated at 90° C. for 18 hours and then evaporated to dryness underreduced pressure. The residue is purified by chromatography on a silicagel column using a 60:20:10:35 v/v mixture of toluene/ethylacetate/concentrated aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution/ethanol aseluant. The fraction with an R_(f) value of 0.45 on silica gel platesusing the same solvent system is collected and evaporated to dryness andthe residue is crystallised from ethanol. There is thus obtained1-(o-tolyloxy)-3-[β-N-(N-phenylcarbamoylmethyl)carbamoyl]ethylamino-2-propanol,m.p. 160°-162° C.

The [2-(β-chloropropionamido)acet]anilide used as starting material maybe obtained as follows:

β-Chloropropionyl chloride (7.0 ml.) is added dropwise during 30 minutesto a solution of (2-aminoacet)anilide (12.43 g.), sodium bicarbonate(12.33 g.), water (100 ml.) and ethanol (100 ml.) which is stirred at 0°C., and the mixture is stirred for a further 1.5 hours and thenfiltered. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressureand the residue is dissolved in water (50 ml.). The mixture is filteredand the filtrate is extracted three times with 75 ml. of ethyl acetateeach time. The combined ethyl acetate extracts are dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulphate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Theresidue is crystallised from methanol and there is thus obtained[2-(β-chloropropionamido)acet]anilide, m.p. 173°-175° C.

What we claim is:
 1. An alkanolamine derivative selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula: ##STR9## wherein A¹ is alkylene of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein A² is a direct link or alkylene of up to 6 carbon atoms; wherein R¹ is hydrogen, or alkyl halogenoalkyl, alkenyl or cycloalkyl each of up to 10 carbon atoms, or aryl of the formula: ##STR10## wherein R², R³, R¹² and R¹³, which may be the same or different, each is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, carbamoyl, cyano or alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyloxy, alkanoyl or acylamino each of up to 6 carbon atoms, or wherein R² and R³ together and/or R¹² and R¹³ together, form trimethylene, tetramethylene or buta-1,3-dienylene such that together with the adjacent benzene ring they form respectively indanyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl or naphthyl; wherein X¹ is amidic of the formula --NHCO-- and X² is amidic of the formula --CONH--; wherein Y¹ is a direct link and wherein Y² is a direct link, or alkylene or alkyleneoxy each of up to 6 carbon atoms, and the non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salts thereof.
 2. An alkanolamine derivative as claimed in claim 1 selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula given in claim 1 wherein A¹ is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, 1-methylethylene, 2-methylethylene or 1,1-dimethylethylene; wherein A² is methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, 1-methylethylene, 2-methylethylene, 1, 1-dimethylethylene or ethylidene; wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, n-octyl, trifluoromethyl, allyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, or aryl of the formula: ##STR11## wherein R², R³, R¹² and R¹³, which may be the same or different, each is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydroxy, amino, nitro, carbamoyl, cyano, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, allyl, methoxy, isopropoxy, methylthio, allyloxy, formyl, acetyl or acetamido, or wherein R² and R³ together, and/or R¹² and R¹³ together, form trimethylene, tetramethylene or buta-1,3-dienylene; wherein X¹, X² and Y¹ have the meanings stated in claim 1 and wherein Y² is a direct link or methylene, ethylene, methyleneoxy, ethyleneoxy, trimethyleneoxy, 1-methylethylideneoxy of 1-methylpropylideneoxy, and the non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salts thereof.
 3. An alkanolamine derivative as claimed in claim 1 selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula given in claim 1 wherein A¹ is ethylene, 1-methylethylene or 1,1-dimethylethylene; wherein A² is a direct link or methylene, ethylidene or ethylene; wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, or aryl of the formula: ##STR12## wherein either R¹² is hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy or nitro and R¹³ is hydrogen, or R¹² and R¹³ together with the adjacent benzene ring form 1-naphthyl; wherein either R² is hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy, carbamoyl, cyano, methyl, allyl, methoxy or allyloxy and R³ is hydrogen, or R² and R³ together with the adjacent benzene ring form 1-naphthyl; wherein X¹ is --NHCO--; wherein X² is --CONH--; wherein Y¹ is a direct link and wherein Y² is a direct link or methylene or methyleneoxy and the non-toxic, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.
 4. An alkanolamine derivative as claimed in claim 3 wherein A¹ is ethylene; wherein A² is methylene or ethylene; wherein R¹ is 1-naphthyl, or phenyl of the formula: ##STR13## wherein R¹² is hydrogen, chlorine, hydroxy or nitro; wherein either R² is hydrogen, or chlorine, cyano, methyl, methoxy or allyloxy in the 2-position of the phenyl nucleus, and R³ is hydrogen, or R² and R³ together with the adjacent benzene ring form 1-naphthyl; wherein X¹ is --NHCO--; wherein X² is --CONH--; wherein Y¹ is a direct link and wherein Y² is a direct link or methylene; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salt thereof.
 5. An alkanolamine derivative as claimed in claim 1 wherein A¹ is ethylene, A² is a direct link or methylene or ethylene, R¹ is alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms or phenyl, monochlorophenyl, mononitrophenyl, monohydroxyphenyl, 1-naphthyl, either R² is hydrogen, chloro or cyano, or alkyl alkenyl, alkoxy or alkenyloxy each of up to 3 carbon atoms and R³ is hydrogen, or R² and R³ together with the adjacent benzene ring form 1-naphthyl, X¹ is --NHCO--, X² is --CONH--, Y¹ is a direct link and Y² is a direct link or methylene; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salt thereof.
 6. A non-toxic, pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salt as claimed in claim 1 which is a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, sulphate, oxalate, lactate, tartrate, acetate, salicylate, citrate, benzoate, β-naphthoate, adipate or 1,1-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate), or a salt derived from a sulphonated polystyrene resin.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient at least one alkanolamine derivative or an acid-addition salt thereof, claimed in claim 1, in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier therefor.
 8. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of heart diseases and hypertension in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of at least one compound claimed in claim
 1. 9. A method for producing coronary β-adrenergic blockade in a warm-blooded animal in need for such blockade which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of at least one compound claimed in claim
 1. 10. An alkanolamine derivative as claimed in claim 1 wherein A¹ is ethylene, A² is methylene, R¹ is 4-hydroxyphenyl, R² and R³ are both hydrogen, X¹ is --NHCO--, X² is --CONH--, Y¹ is a direct link and Y² is a direct link; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable acid-addition salt thereof. 